Liquid-level gauge



May 31; 1927. G. F FALK LIQUID msvm. GAUGE Filed May 29. 1923 INVENTOR Gearye F F'a/A.

' ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1927.

UNITED STATES T T- va-Free I GEORGE E. FALK, OF LA CROSSE WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONEJ-I ALF T STANLEY A.

' TAYLOR, OF LA GRO S SE, WISCONSIN,

LIQUID-LEVEL GAUGE.

Application filed May 29,

The inventioi'l relates to certain new and useful improvements in oilgauges of the class wherein is embodied means for positively indicating the liquid level in a tank or reservoir. q

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the class stated wherein the action of indicating the liquid, level is positive in its nature, due to theprovisionof means for insuring against binding of the float member which effects movement of the indicatorused therein. i

The invention further has for its object to providean arrangement of parts such as will insure the provision at all times of a well of liquid within the chamber which accommodates the float so that proper action of the float is insured in response tothe variations in the level of the liquid in the tank or reservoir with which the gauge is adaptedto cooperate.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the provision of those novel details of construction, combination of and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being bad to the accoun ;,panying drawing, in which: i

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectionof my device operatively applied in cooperation Witha tank or reservoir, parts being shown in elevation. n

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectiontaken substantially on the line 2+ 2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevationof thegauge head,the indicator head being illustrated at a position adjacent halfway the limit of its travel.

Figure l is a detail elevation of the float member per se, the dotted lines indicating in exaggerated degree the function of the ball and socket connection thereofwith the indicator rod.

In the drawing, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, the numeral 1 is used toindicate a tank or reservoir of any particular size or shape.

In the practical development of my invention I provide suitable hollow piping 2' through which liquid fromthetank or reservoir 1 is adapted tofiow into the side chan nel or auxiliary reservoir 3 'formedintegral 1923. Serial No. 642,281.

with the float chamber 4 and with the interior of which the side channel 3 is 'in constant communication.

The connection of the channel 3 is at a. considerable distance from the bottom of the chamber casing ,4, from which it will be observed that a Wellof liquid, such as indicated in Figure 1, will. constantly be maintained within the bottom portion of the casing 4, regardless ofIwha-t the level of the liquid in the tank or reservoir 1 is at the particularperiod, 1

It will be readily understood, of course, that should the liquid level in the tank 1 be raised the level of the liquid within the chamber l will be likewise raisedand in the samedegree, while on the other hand, should the liquid level within the tank 1 be diminlshed below the point indicated in Figure 1 the same will have noetlect whatever upon the well of liquid maintained within the chamber l as indicated. if For a purpose soon to be. described, Iprovide suitable connecting tubing 5 which is threaded externally at its lower end asat 6,

and is adapted to be threaded into a thread- 11 Zed tap provided therefor through the internally threaded chamber closing plug 7. If

desired this connection between the tubing 5 :and the plug 7 may be made slightly adjustable as shown, and for the proper clamping of the tubing to its adjusted position, I provide the usual jamb nut 8 as shown in Figure l. i v

A float member 9 iisadaptedto move vertically within the chamber 4: responsive to the liquid level in that chamber as con:

trolled by the liquid level in the tank or reservoir 1. The float 9 is of cylindrical shape, the cross sectional area of which is less (than that of thebore of the chamber 4twithin'which it is adapted tomove, and the said ,float isprovided, centrally, with a rela tively large bore 10. An indicator rod 11,

pipe 2 with the y formed of piano wire or similar material, is

utilized in carryingout the invention, which said rod is adapted topass downwardly through the central bore 10 of the float 9 and is provided at its end with a ball 12 which is adapted to seatin a ball socket 13 formedona plate 14, which said socket projects up into thesaid bore. The connector plate 14 is secured to the bottom faceof the afloat 9 by connector pins 15 which pass through the plate and up through the float 9 and are secured thereto byclinching or otherwise, as at 16. a i i i v The indicator rod ll passes upwardly from its connection with the lioat 9 through the connecting tubing 5 and is provided at its upper end with a halt round indicator head 17 This head 17 may be painted black or treated in any desired way i'or making the same conspicuous as amarking medium.

The projected indicator head 1? isadapt ed tobe moved vertically,through its con nection withthe float 9, in a gauge head 18. The gauge head is secured upon the externally threaded end 19 of the tubing 5, through the medium of an internally and externally. threaded bushing 20 which threads upon the said threaded end of the tubing and in the internally threaded portionill'ot the gauge head; seeEigurel. The, bushing 20 includes a closed end which is provided with a guide aperture 22 for the indicator rod 11. r

'lhefchamber sand the gauge'head 18 areeach preferablymade in one piece and of aluminum'smooth reamed, and the gauge head may be provided with suitable ears 23 for facilitating the mountingthereof upon the dashboard or other point of advantage wherethe same may be readily viewed to discern the level of the liquid in the tank or reservoir 1. p d

The gauge head includes a cutout portion 2a through which is. visible the glass windowtube 25 which is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the gauge head 18 to be secured thereinby the bushing 20 there to be held to its proper. position, against dis placement and rattling, by a: coil spring 26 which engages the same and the bushing 20,see Figurel. The various POSllJlODS or through this windowtube'flf).

Indicator notches 27 are provided f at dethe indicator head 17 may be readily viewed sired points on thesides of the cutoutportion 24 of the gauge head which serve to provide a. means of indicating a certain liquid level within the tank or reservoir 1. In

desired.

"An air vent 28 is provided adjacent the upper end of the tube5 for faciltating the proper flow of liquid into the chamber 4.

A clean-out plug 29 is provided at a suitable point in the bottom of the chamber l through which proper cleansing of the chamber 4 and the channel 3 may be effected.

In the operation of theinvention the oilor other liquid enters the channel 3 and the point indicated in Figure 1 the; l loatwillbe JDOSllllOIlQtl as isindicated in that figure.

This position indicated in Figure 1 is maintained at. all times when the liquid level in the tank or reservoir 1 is at the point indi catedin Figure lor at any point below the level there indicated. w

By reason oi, thus providing a constant well of liquid within the chamber l as indi# cated, the lloat 9 will be caused to rise imn'iediately upon the rising of the liquidqlevel in the tank 1, it beiiug unnecessary for the liquid to first lill irraroundthe float before exerting the lifting action;

Byjreason of the ball and socket connection 19 -13. between the rod 11 and the float 9. and the cooperation of this connection witlrthe relativelylarge central bore 10, sullicient free movement off the float upon the gauge rod 11 is permitted and, as the weight of the gauge rod is supported at the very bot-tomofthefloatQ, the float is caused to remain perpendicllilar at all times thus preventing its binding While moving in the chambera. 1 i i As the liquid level increases within the tank 1, and consequently in the chambert, the float 9 is caused to rise,carrying with it the indicator rod 11 and the indicator head connecting tube. By reason of the mounting of andthe relative position of thegauge head 18 and the indicator head 17,.the lat ter, as it is moved by the float 9, effectively registers or indieatcs through the glass Winwill be readily apparent to those familiar with the lsart towhich itarelates.

Whatl claim is:; i

11A device of the class described com- .prisingwa chamber, means whereby liquid may be admitted into said chaniiber. to correspond in level therein with the level of the liquid in the tank or reservoir from which it flowsria fioathaving a vertical passage, said float being movable in. saidchainber and being adapted to respond to the variations in the liquid levelin saidtankorreservoir, an indicator rodipassing through said passage and flexibly connected to thebottom of said float tobe moved by said float for indicating the liquid level in saidxtank or reservoir. 1 i d 2L A device of the. class fclescribed comprising a chamber, means whereby liquid may be admitted into said chamber tocorrespond in level therein with the level of the liquid in the tank or reservoir from which which it flows, a float movable in said chamber and having a central bore, said float being adapted to respond to the variations in the liquid level in said tank or reservoir, an indicator rod passing through said central bore, a ball and socket joint connecting said rod to said float at the end of said central bore, said rod being adapted to be moved by said float for indicating the liquid level 20 in said tank or reservoir.

GEORGE F. FALK. 

